Size-adjustable mounting frame for television screen protector

ABSTRACT

A size adjustable mounting frame for encompassing a television screen protector and for fastening the so-framed screen protector to a television housing to extend over the television projection screen. The adjustable mounting frame includes a plurality of frame members equal to the number of longitudinal edges of the television screen protector. Each of the frame members has a first end, a second end, at least one engager for attaching the frame member to an edge of the screen protector, and at least one retainer member for attaching the frame member to a television housing receptor member. The adjustable mounting frame also includes a plurality of angled connector members for connecting adjacent respective end portions of adjacent frame members to each other. Each connector member includes a first end and a second end, such that each end thereof is configured to slideably accept a selected length of the end portion of one frame member in accord with the size of the screen protector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] (Not Applicable)

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

[0002] (Not Applicable)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to mounting frames oftelevision screen protectors, and more particularly to an adjustablemounting frame able to accommodate variously sized screen protectors inaccord with corresponding screen sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In recent years there has been a substantial increase in thesales of televisions with larger screens. In many cases these largerscreen televisions utilize a projection screen instead of a conventionalpicture tube to minimize cost and enhance picture quality. Due to thenature of their construction, however, these projection screens arevulnerable to damage from inadvertent impact or scratching duringroutine cleaning. Consequently, screen protectors were developed toprevent accidental contact and to minimize cleaning frequency.

[0005] A screen protector typically comprises a transparent planarshield sized to extend over the surface of a television projectionscreen, as non-limitedly exemplified by Ananian in U.S. Pat. No.4,907,090. The planar shield is generally fitted with a mounting framefor attachment to the television housing with fasteners such as standardhook and loop devices. Additionally, it is very desirable to constructthe shields from non-glare materials in order to reduce reflections fromambient lighting. Unfortunately, current frame designs may encourageoptical distortion of television images when the shield is constructedfrom non-glare materials. Specifically, non-glare shields have a greatertendency to blur or cloud television images as the shield is positionedfurther from the projection screen. As a consequence, those framedesigns which require separate mounting fasteners may be incompatiblewith non-glare screen protectors because the fasteners placed betweenthe television housing and mounting frame increase the distance betweenthe projection screen and the shield. Concurrently, separate mountingfasteners also create a gap between the television housing and themounting frame through which light may shine or shadows may extend at anangle which obscures the television projection images. The gap may alsoallow ambient dust to infiltrate and obscure projection images.

[0006] In addition to optical distortion, current mounting frames tendto increase the production cost of screen protectors because frame sizeis non-adjustable, and a particular frame is compatible with just oneplanar shield and television screen size. This lack of frame sizeadjustability forces manufacturers to either inventory larger quantitiesof mounting frames in each size, or increase delivery lead time toaccommodate customized fabrication on a per order basis.

[0007] In view of the above considerations, a primary object of thepresent invention is to provide a screen protector mounting frame thatpositions the planar shield thereof closer to the television projectionscreen and thereby facilitates the use of non-glare materials for thescreen protector.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a screenprotector mounting frame which blocks shadows, light, and dust frompassing between the mounting frame and the television housing.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide anadjustable mounting frame which accommodates a variety of planar shieldsand consequent projection screen sizes.

[0010] These and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent throughout the description thereof which now follows.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is a size adjustable mounting frame forencompassing a television screen protector and fastening the so-framedscreen protector to a television housing to extend over the televisionprojection screen. The adjustable mounting frame comprises a pluralityof frame members equal to the number of longitudinal edges of thetelevision screen protector. Each of the frame members has a first end,a second end, at least one engager for attaching the frame member to anedge of the screen protector, and at least one retainer member forattaching the frame member to a television housing receptor member. Theadjustable mounting frame also includes a plurality of angled connectormembers for connecting adjacent respective end portions of the framemembers to each other and angled to be complimentarily shaped tocorresponding angles of screen protector edges. Each connector membercomprises a first end and a second end wherein each end thereof isconfigured to slideably accept a selected length of the end portion ofone frame member. This selected length is determined by the length ofthe screen protector edge engaged by the frame member in accord with thesize of the screen protector. The mounting frame can also be providedwith an attached facade to enhance the visual appeal of the frame andtelevision.

[0012] The adjustable mounting frame here taught thus providesadjustment of the frame to accommodate many of the various screenprotector sizes. Additionally, the mounting frame positions the screenprotector closer to the television projection screen, thereby permittingthe use of non-glare screen protectors without distorting televisionimages. In this manner the adjustable mounting frame reduces screenprotector production costs and it facilitates the use of non-glarematerials for the screen protector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of theinvention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a sizeadjustable mounting frame encompassing a screen protector and affixedover a television projection screen;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the size adjustable mountingframe;

[0016]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a frame member and a compatibleconnector member of the mounting frame;

[0017]FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an alternative frame memberconfiguration and a compatible connector member;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showinga mounting flange integrally attached to the frame member and engagedwithin a recess disposed on a television housing;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tongue and groove engagementbetween a frame member and a connector member;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting frame provided withattached facade segments and facade adjusters;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mounting frame of FIG. 6showing the facade segments and facade adjustors prior to attachment onthe mounting frame.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

[0023]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a mounting flange fastenerpositioned for securing the mounting flange of the frame member withinan enlarged recess of the television housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a television 11 equipped witha size adjustable mounting frame 10 for a television screen protector12. The mounting frame 10 is secured to the television housing 50 andsurrounds the television projection screen 52. Referring to FIG. 2, themounting frame 10 comprises longitudinal frame members 16 and angledconnector members 18 which fasten onto the perimeter of the screenprotector 12. As particularly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each frame member16 comprises a pair of opposed panels 20, 22 interconnected by a bottompanel 24 to form a channel 26 sized for accepting one longitudinal edge28 of the screen protector 12. The opposed panels 20, 22 arenon-limitedly formed from a resilient material such as polyethylene, andat least one of the opposed panels is oriented to apply a compressivespring force upon the edge 28 of the screen protector 12. Similarly,each connector member 18 comprises a pair of opposed panels 30, 32interconnected by a bottom panel 34 to form a channel 36 sized foraccepting one corner of the screen protector 12. The opposed panels 30,32 are non-limitedly formed from a resilient material such aspolyethylene, and at least one of the opposed panels is oriented toapply a compressive spring force upon the corner of the screen protector12.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 5, an adjustment flange 38 is disposedon each end of the connector members 18 to facilitate a connection withthe frame members 16. The inner surface of the adjustment flange 38 hasa pair of longitudinally disposed tapered rail projections 40 whichserve as the male half of a dovetailed sliding tongue and groove joint.The outer surface 15 of each frame member 16 has tapered grooves 44shaped to mate with the rail projections 40, and longitudinally disposedto substantially align with the rail projections 40, to form the femalehalf of a dovetailed sliding tongue and groove joint. With this methodof attachment, the combined length of the frame member 16 and connectormember 18 can be adjusted to match the length of the screen protectoredge 28 by inserting a selected length of the frame member 16 into theadjustment flange 38. It is, of course, recognized that the framemembers 16 and connector members 18 can be formed into other shapeswhich facilitate length adjustable engagement. For example, FIGS. 3B and8 show a frame member 16 having a T-shaped slot 41 for engaging acompatible T-shaped projection 43 disposed on the connector member 18.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each frame member 16 has a mountingflange 46 extending along the entire length of the frame member 16 andhaving a thickness and depth to fit within a recess 48 in the televisionhousing 50. When attached in this manner, the adjustable mounting frame10 can be placed in a substantially flush position with the televisionhousing 50, and as a consequence, the screen protector 12 can bepositioned closer to the television projection screen 52. Thisconfiguration facilitates the use of non-glare materials for the screenprotector 12. In addition, the mounting flange 46 blocks shadows, light,and dust from passing between the frame member 16 and the televisionhousing 50.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the mounting frame 10 can be providedwith facade segments 54 and facade adjusters 56 which are attachable tothe frame members 16 to form a facade 58 in combination with theconnector members 18. As particularly shown in FIG. 6, the segments 54and adjusters 56 can be shaped to provide a facade 58 having asubstantially uniform exposed surface 59. The facade segments 54 andfacade adjusters 58 are also preferably formed from the same material asthe connector members 18 such that the facade 58 will have asubstantially uniform appearance as well. In addition, the length of theadjustors 56 is selected so the perimeter dimensions of the facade 58match the perimeter dimensions of the mounting frame 10. To facilitateassembly of the facade 58, the bottom surface 53 of the segments 54 andthe bottom surface 55 of the adjusters 56 are shaped for cooperativelyengaging the outer surface 15 of the frame members 16. As shown in FIG.7, the segments 54 and adjusters 56 can be provided with a T-shapedprojection 60 for cooperatively engaging the T-shaped slot 41 disposedon the outer surface 15 of the frame members 16. It is recognized, ofcourse, that the segments 54, adjustors 56, and frame members 16 can beprovided with other types of cooperatively engageable surfaces. Forexample, the bottom surface 53 of the segments 54 and the bottom surface55 of the adjustors 56 can be provided with pin-type projections forengaging compatible perforations in the outer surface 15 of the framemembers 16, or visa-versa.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting frame 10 can also be providedwith a plurality of mounting flange fasteners 62 for securing themounting flange 46 of the frame member 16 within an enlarged recess 49of the television housing 50. The fasteners 62 can be formed in aU-shape and sized such that the legs 64 of the fasteners 62 provide acompressive spring force against the mounting flange 46 and televisionhousing 50. It is recognized, of course, that various types of fasteners62 can be provided for securing the mounting flange 46 within the recess48. For instance, the fasteners 62 can be an insertable plugs formedfrom a compressible material such as rubber for placement within therecess 49 in a compressed position adjacent the housing 50 and mountingflange 46. Alternatively, the fastener can be a set screw penetratingthrough the housing 50 to engage the mounting flange 46 within therecess 49, etc.

[0029] In use, the size adjustable mounting frame 10 is assembled byfirst inserting one edge 28 of the screen protector 12 into the channel26 of a frame member 16. The adjacent corner of the screen protector 12is similarly inserted into the channel 36 of the connector member 18. Aselected length of the frame member 16 is then inserted into theadjustment flange 38 for adjusting the combined longitudinal length ofthe frame member 16 and connector member 18 assembly to fit thelongitudinal dimension of the screen protector 12. This assembly processis repeated until the mounting frame 10 encompasses the screen protector12. After assembly is completed, the mounting frame 10 is positioned forinserting the respective mounting flanges 46 into the television housingrecesses 48 and fastening the frame and screen protector assembly to thetelevision housing 50. In those instances where the recesses 48 are toolarge for retaining the mounting flange 46, the mounting flangefasteners 62 can be inserted within the recesses 48 to compressivelysecure the mounting flange 46 within the recess 48.

[0030] When the optional facade segments 54 and facade adjustors 56 areprovided with the mounting frame 10, the segments 54 and adjustors 56are attached to the frame members 16 by connecting the respectiveengageable surfaces of the segments 54 and adjusters 56 with thecompatible mating surface of the frame members 16. When the segments 54and adjusters 56 are configured for sliding engagement with the framemembers 16, the segments 54 and adjustors 56 are attached to the framemembers 16 prior to connecting the frame members 16 with the connectors18.

[0031] As is apparent from the above embodiment, the adjustable mountingframe resolves many of the deficiencies in the prior art by (1)facilitating the use of non-glare screen protector materials byeliminating the need for separate mounting fasteners and positioning thescreen protector closer to the projection screen, (2) utilizing mountingflanges which block shadows, light, and dust from passing between theframe members and the television housing, and (3) providing anadjustable frame design to accommodate many of the available screenprotector sizes and thereby reduce production costs.

[0032] While a preferred embodiment has been described herein, it is tobe understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variouslyembodied and employed. The appended claims are intended to be construedto include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

1. A size adjustable mounting frame for encompassing a television screenprotector having a plurality of longitudinal edges and respectiveinterfacing angled corners equal in size and number to respective edgesand interfacing angled corners of a television screen to be protected,and for fastening said screen protector to a television housing having areceptor member for mounting frame acceptance and surrounding saidtelevision screen, the frame comprising: a) a plurality of longitudinalframe members equal in number to the number of edges of the screenprotector, with each of said frame members having a first end, a secondend, and an engager component for engaging the respective edge of thescreen protector; b) a plurality of angled connector members forconnecting adjacent first and second ends of adjacent frame members,with each connector member having identical opposing ends eachconfigured to slideably accept a respective variable portion of saidadjacent first and second ends of adjacent frame members andcomplimentarily configured to accommodate the interfacing angled cornerof the screen protector, with each connector member having an engagercomponent for engaging said respective angled corner; and, c) a retainermember disposed on each frame member, said retainer member beingcomplimentarily configured with said receptor member of the televisionhousing for releasable securement therewith.
 2. The mounting frame asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the engager component of the frame member isa channel sized for accepting one edge of the screen protector.
 3. Themounting frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein the engager component ofthe connector member is a channel sized for accepting the interfacingangled corner of the screen protector.
 4. The mounting frame as claimedin claim 1 wherein the retainer member is a mounting flangelongitudinally extending substantially the full length of the framemember and sized for insertion into the receptor member of thetelevision housing.
 5. The mounting frame as claimed in claim 1 whereineach respective end portion of each connector member has an adjustmentflange for slideably accepting a respective variable portion of oneframe member.
 6. The mounting frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein theframe members and connector members are formed from a resilientmaterial.
 7. The mounting frame as claimed in claim 1 additionallycomprising an attached facade having an exposed surface.
 8. The mountingframe as claimed in claim 7 wherein the facade has a fastening memberfor attaching the facade to the mounting frame.
 9. The mounting frame asclaimed in claim 7 wherein the facade has a bottom surface engageablewith the frame member for attaching the facade to the mounting frame.10. The mounting frame as claimed in claim 4 wherein the receptor memberof the housing is a recess.
 11. The mounting frame as claimed in claim10 additionally comprising a mounting flange fastener for securing themounting flange within the recess.
 12. A framed screen protectorcomprising: a) a planar screen protector having a plurality oflongitudinal edges and respective interfacing angled corners equal insize and number to respective edges and interfacing angled corners of atelevision screen to be protected; and, b) a size adjustable mountingframe encompassing the screen protector for fastening said screenprotector to a television housing surrounding a television screen, themounting frame comprising: i) a plurality of longitudinal frame membersequal in number to the number of edges of the screen protector, witheach of said frame members having a first end, a second end, and anengager component for engaging the respective edge of the screenprotector; ii) a plurality of angled connector members for connectingadjacent first and second ends of adjacent frame members, with eachconnector member having identical opposing ends each configured toslideably accept a respective variable portion of said adjacent firstand second ends of adjacent frame members and complimentarily configuredto accommodate the interfacing angled corner of the screen protector,with each connector member having an engager component for engaging saidrespective angled corner; and, iii) a retainer member protruding fromeach frame member, said retainer member being complimentarily configuredwith a receptor member of a television housing for releasable securementtherewith.
 13. The protector as claimed in claim 12 wherein the engagercomponent of the frame member is a channel sized for accepting one edgeof the screen protector.
 14. The protector as claimed in claim 12wherein the engager component of the connector member is a channel sizedfor accepting the interfacing angled corner of the screen protector. 15.The protector as claimed in claim 12 wherein the retainer member is amounting flange extending substantially the full length of the framemember and sized for insertion into the receptor member of thetelevision housing.
 16. The protector as claimed in claim 12 whereineach respective end portion of each connector member has an adjustmentflange for slideably accepting a respective variable portion of oneframe member.
 17. The protector as claimed in claim 12 wherein the framemembers and connector members are formed from a resilient material. 18.The protector as claimed in claim 12 wherein the mounting frameadditionally includes an attached facade having an exposed surface. 19.The protector as claimed in claim 18 wherein the facade has a fasteningmember for attaching the facade to the mounting frame.
 20. The protectoras claimed in claim 18 wherein the facade has a bottom surfaceengageable with the frame member for attaching the facade to themounting frame.
 21. The protector as claimed in claim 15 wherein thereceptor member of the housing is a recess.
 22. The mounting frame asclaimed in claim 21 additionally comprising a mounting flange fastenerfor securing the mounting flange within the recess.